( No, I’m not a smoker… but I am amazed someone can see these images on the packaging and still smoke. This is also not something that would work for marketing in the US! )
Wednesday, January 13, 2010
Tuesday, January 12, 2010
Quick narrative thus far...
Okay, a few people have asked why I’m in Chile. To fill those who don’t know in, I’m here as part of my MBA program. I started going to the University of Houston as a part-time MBA student, but ended up going full-time (and working full time). This is my LAST semester, so I’m really excited (but I still have FOUR classes left). If you haven’t checked it out, my Berlin trip this past summer (when I started the blog) was also related to the MBA program, as my concentrations are International Business, Management and Leadership.
We’ve been quite busy overall, as we have company visits during the day. So far we’ve gone to:
Monday:
VTR Telecommunications
(http://www.vtr.com/)
This is basically the Comcast of Chile. The company has grown very rapidly, and has caught up with competitor MovieStar closely in the market. Technology surprised me here. I don’t know why, but I was expecting it to be further behind, so billboards for iPhones with 3G threw me off!
Coaniquem Centre for Treatment & Rehab Burnt Children
(http://www.burnedchildren.org/)
This is a non-profit organization which is amazing. The company operates on about a $6M budget each year, and has helped over 90,000 children thus far. Check out the Web site, and watch the Lidia video if you can. The center is really great, and very child-friendly (if you have ever visited a Children’s Hospital, you’ll see similar types of initiatives to make it fun and not “scary”). If you feel inspired, you can donate online too. Wonderful organization!
Today (Tuesday):
Codelco
(http://www.codelco.cl/english/index1.asp )
We went to a copper mine, and got to go inside the mine! Overall, it was a great experience. We got to use the machines that crush the boulders, and stood inches away from an actual mine shaft (an experience very unlikely to happen in the U.S. due to high OSHA regulations). The mine we went to produces I believe 41% of the world’s copper, and has enough to keep busy for at least another 70+ years.
We just got back from dinner at a local dive restaurant Kelly recommended:
Fuente Alemana (no webpage)
Avenida Pedro de Valdivia, 210 Providencia (Metro Pedro de Valdivia)
As Kelley described: “Really really huge sandwiches. The classic is lomito (pork) with toppings such as avocado, mayo, and tomatoes. As seen on Anthony Bourdain’s No Reservations.” She was right; they were huge, but delicious. I think I only made it through half, but that was the most affordable food we've had so far, and ranks as the best! The atmosphere is a very dive restaurant, diner-setting. We met a gentleman, an architect, who was awesome and gave us some great insight and conversation about Chile. He's done traveling to the U.S. but never to Houston (he's been to New York, Chicago, L.A.), and he studied abroad and lived a few years in Toronto. I love getting the "inside scoop" from the locals! When the bellhop at the hotel foun out where we were going to eat (as he called a cab), he even said "that's where us locals eat!" Kelley, THANK YOU for the recommendation. We'll be checking out more places this week from your list (a few of the guys are hitting up some of the nightlife recommendations as I type...)
I’ll try to throw some photos up as I can! Right now since I need to get to bed. Tomorrow we’re heading to the Port, and then spending the day on the Coast, which should be gorgeous. The weather here is AMAZING!!!!
We’ve been quite busy overall, as we have company visits during the day. So far we’ve gone to:
Monday:
VTR Telecommunications
(http://www.vtr.com/)
This is basically the Comcast of Chile. The company has grown very rapidly, and has caught up with competitor MovieStar closely in the market. Technology surprised me here. I don’t know why, but I was expecting it to be further behind, so billboards for iPhones with 3G threw me off!
Coaniquem Centre for Treatment & Rehab Burnt Children
(http://www.burnedchildren.org/)
This is a non-profit organization which is amazing. The company operates on about a $6M budget each year, and has helped over 90,000 children thus far. Check out the Web site, and watch the Lidia video if you can. The center is really great, and very child-friendly (if you have ever visited a Children’s Hospital, you’ll see similar types of initiatives to make it fun and not “scary”). If you feel inspired, you can donate online too. Wonderful organization!
Today (Tuesday):
Codelco
(http://www.codelco.cl/english/index1.asp )
We went to a copper mine, and got to go inside the mine! Overall, it was a great experience. We got to use the machines that crush the boulders, and stood inches away from an actual mine shaft (an experience very unlikely to happen in the U.S. due to high OSHA regulations). The mine we went to produces I believe 41% of the world’s copper, and has enough to keep busy for at least another 70+ years.
We just got back from dinner at a local dive restaurant Kelly recommended:
Fuente Alemana (no webpage)
Avenida Pedro de Valdivia, 210 Providencia (Metro Pedro de Valdivia)
As Kelley described: “Really really huge sandwiches. The classic is lomito (pork) with toppings such as avocado, mayo, and tomatoes. As seen on Anthony Bourdain’s No Reservations.” She was right; they were huge, but delicious. I think I only made it through half, but that was the most affordable food we've had so far, and ranks as the best! The atmosphere is a very dive restaurant, diner-setting. We met a gentleman, an architect, who was awesome and gave us some great insight and conversation about Chile. He's done traveling to the U.S. but never to Houston (he's been to New York, Chicago, L.A.), and he studied abroad and lived a few years in Toronto. I love getting the "inside scoop" from the locals! When the bellhop at the hotel foun out where we were going to eat (as he called a cab), he even said "that's where us locals eat!" Kelley, THANK YOU for the recommendation. We'll be checking out more places this week from your list (a few of the guys are hitting up some of the nightlife recommendations as I type...)
I’ll try to throw some photos up as I can! Right now since I need to get to bed. Tomorrow we’re heading to the Port, and then spending the day on the Coast, which should be gorgeous. The weather here is AMAZING!!!!
Chile... so far!
Okay, we do have Internet in the room, but we've been having too much fun exploring :)
The hotel room is quite nice:
The hotel room is quite nice:
(above: view from living room)
(view from bedroom)
On the roof:
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